Manila, June 20 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will likely maintain the PHP45 per kilogram maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for 5 percent broken imported rice amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said "there is a good chance that we will maintain the MSRP a little bit longer until things stabilize."

"Tumaas ang petrolyo, freight tumaas. So, 'yung landed cost tumaas (Petroleum and freight cost have increased. So, the landed cost also rose)," he said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of National Food Authority warehouse inspection in Roxas, Isabela on Friday.

The decision also holds for the prices of Rice for All (RFA) varieties being sold in Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers and...